Desert racing is back and it gets started this weekend with the Best in the Desert BlueWater Resort Parker 425 presented by Jimco. This season kick start race will be in a new format and will have two days of racing. Which brings more racing action for the fans, but also a safer racing environment for the competitors.
Located on the Colorado River just south of the Headgate Rock Dam and Moovalya Lake, across from the state of California, the Parker area has hosted one of the premier events on the annual off-road racing calendar since the early seventies. The event has endured name changes; changes in length; changes in promoters and sponsors; not to mention course changes due to an endangered species, dust storms, and even snow.
This year we will be following one team to see the highs and lows through the racing season. The no. 6184 Spec Trick Truck of OTSFF Motorsports is coming off a great 2019 campaign and looks to continue it at the Parker 425.
“We’re all very excited for the season to start,” team owner and driver Andre Laurin said. “The Parker 425 is an event that I always look forward to, because it’s an indicator of what kind of shape we’re in, mentally, physically, and technically. I’m also pumped with the modifications made to the OTSFF/Motul 6100 truck. Last year we had a great truck. The results we achieved on the track spoke for themselves. But thanks to some of the new rule changes we have been able to build an even better one for this year.”
The no. 6184 OTSFF/Motul spec truck taking to the dirt during the 2019 season.
The 2020 season comes with new rule changes implemented by Best in the Desert and OTSFF took full advantage of them coming into the Parker 425. New rules for the Spec class include the use of a bigger motor, jumping from 430 horsepower to a 525 horsepower LS3 with underdrive. In addition, the class is allowed to use up to a 40-inch tire compared to the 37-inch allowed last year.
“It’s the same truck body and same chassis from last season, but thanks to the rule changes we’re able to do a bigger motor now, so we opted for a 550-horsepower motor,” Adam Fitza OTSFF Motorsports team manager, crew chief, and builder said. “This, of course, meant having to install a new Flowmaster exhaust system.”
Stay tuned for a full feature on the OTSFF Motorsports Motul Spec truck where we check out all of its features.
“We’ve also stepped up to bigger tires. We’ll be using the 40-inch Toyo RT tires,” Fitza continued. “Furthermore, the new rules allow us to run an underdrive and a bigger transmission now. Our partner B&M supplied us with an awesome new Turbo 400 trannie. And we upgraded a bunch of other things, including the Fox shocks. Basically, anything I touched on this vehicle, anything that came off the truck, got either rebuilt or replaced. I truly believe the truck is better than it’s ever been.”
We will check in with the OTSFF Motorsports team after the Parker 425 to see how they did and recap the event. In addition to following the team, we will have their truck in an upcoming feature so that everyone can see everything this truck has to offer.
Schedule Of Events For Parker 425
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Time Trials for select classes & The Parker Area Chamber presents the Parker “425” Downtown Experience – open to all Classes
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Registration, Tech & Contingency, Driver’s Meeting
Friday, January 24, 2020
Race Day for following Classes:
1000, 1100, 1200, 2000, 3000, 4400, 5000, 6000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 8000, 8100, All Jeepspeeds
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Race Day for following Classes:
Trick Trucks, 1500, 6100, 6200, 6800
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Awards Presentation for all Classes
